Refugee Week 2026: Online cook-along
Event details
Refugee Week 2026 event
The cook-along
This online cooking demonstration will be hosted by chef Lubna from Yahala Mataam, a social enterprise in York supporting refugees and asylum Seekers. During the session you will learn to cook Abu Basti, a traditional stew originating in Damascus. The name means "the source of joy" or "eat and be happy," reflecting its nature as a comforting, celebratory dish. Ingredients include: Sautéed squash, chickpeas, and tender lamb or beef; it can be made vegan with mushrooms.
All attendees will receive:
- Ingredient list
- Equipment list
- Method
Refugee Week: 15th - 21st June
This year the theme of Refugee Week is Courage. Courage to face unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems, or simply to wake up each morning and step into an uncertain world.
At a time when some seek to divide and blame, Refugee Week 2026 calls us to come together and share the courage to welcome, to stand for what we believe in, and to celebrate culture and community – to be joyful, imagine new possibilities, dream, heal, and connect.
The University of York is proud to be a University of Sanctuary, committed to being a safe place for refugees, aslylum seekers and those who have been forced to migrate.
Yahala Mataam
Yahala Mataam CIC is a social enterprise based in York. Its mission is to provide opportunity, build confidence and restore dignity in the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and those who are marginalised due to conflict. Yahala Mataam operates as a pop-up restaurant, a street food vendor, an online cookery school and private event caterer. It has a staff team made up of refugees from Afghanistan, Guinea, Iran, Syria and Ukraine. Rob, one of the directors, studied at the University of York.